Method and apparatus for winding glass strand



Dec. 9, 1969 A. G. BOHY 3,482,953

METHOD AND APPARATUS Fora WINDING qmss STRAND Filed Nov. '7, 1966 5Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Auous'r 0. BOHV 'm aam ATTORNEY;

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A. G. BOHY Dec. 9, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 M EW JMH INVENT OR AUGU a.5011) ATTORNEY 'Dec.-9, 1969' A.G.BQ'HY 3,482,953

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WIND ING GLAS'S- STRAND Fil'ed Nov. 7, .1966 5Sheets-She et s llb I24- I46 155 I42 156 O Fl 6. 5 INVENTOR AUGUST 0.BOHY ATTORNEYS Dec. 9,1969 A. G. BOHY 3,482,953

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WINDING GLASS STRAND Filed Nov. '7, 1966 5Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 6e

FlGba FlCLbb INVENTOR wi- AUGUST 6.30/1) ATTORNEYS Dc. 9,1969 A. G. BOHYManon AND APPARATUS FOR WINDING GLASS STRAND Filed Nov. 7. 1966 5Sheets-Sheet 5 hdE fi $236 5:: 15 Q Nh @5546 5:: 5mm

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3,482,953 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WINDING GLASS STRAND August G. Bohy,Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to P.P.G. Industries Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Filed Nov. 7, 1966, Ser. No. 592,457 Int.Cl. C03b 37/00 US. Cl. 65-2 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Strandtransfer from one winding surface to an adjacent winding surface iseffected by pivoting a pair of spaced capstan wheels which engage thestrand about an axis parallel to their axes of rotation, so as to changethe capstan surfaces engaged by the strand and the position of thestrand leaving the capstans.

This invention relates to forming and winding of strand material,especially fiber glass strand.

In the usual process for producing glass fibers in strand form, streamsof molten glass flow from orifices in a bushing and are attenuated intosmall-diameter fibers or filaments which, after a binder is applied, aregathered together as a strand. The strand is then wound on a rotatingsurface in the form of a package, known as a forming package.

The forming operation and the quality of the fibers and strand producedare adversely affected by changes in the linear speed of the strand asit is being wound. If the linear speed of the strand, i.e., the windingspeed, varies as the package is formed, the diameter of the fibersattenuated may not be uniform. Moreover, rapid changes in winding speedmay cause the strand to break and disrupt the otherwise continuousprocess. Thus, the strand is preferably wound at a constant windingspeed.

Although it is preferred to wind the strand at a constant winding speed,in an automatic operation where a plurality of packages of strand are tobe successively wound on different rotating surfaces, it is sometimesdesirable to produce a differential in strand speed to sever the strandwhen a forming package has been completed on one rotating surface and itis desired to transfer the strand to another rotating surface and beginwinding thereon.

In copending application Ser. No. 602,433, filed Oct. 5, 1966, by WarrenW. Drummond and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, thereis disclosed a novel method of and apparatus for reducing tension onstrand being wound into a forming package on a rotating rstrand-collecting surface. In a preferred embodiment of that invention,the strand is engaged before it is wound with a spaced pair of godets orcapstan wheels at least one of which is driven at a no-load peripheralspeed somewhat greater than the linear speed of the strand. Under load,i.e., when the strand is engaged with the capstan wheels, the strandacting as a brake reduces the peripheral speed of the driven capstanwheel or wheels. Thus, when the strand is engaged, the periperal speedof the capstan wheels and the linear speed of the strand are the same ornearly the same. The forward thrust provided to the strand by the drivencapstan wheel or wheels reduces the tension on the strand as it is woundinto a forming package.

However, since the peripheral speed of the capstan wheels is greaterthan the linear speed of the strand, care must be exercised in the useof such apparatus so as not to break the strand at an inadvertent timeand disrupt the continuous forming operation. For example, it isdesirable to engage the strand with the capstan wheels only during suchtimes that the strand is being wound on a rotating strand-collectingsurface. The strand should not United States Patent ice be engaged withthe capstan wheels as the fiber attenuation and strand-winding operationis initiated, nor should they be engaged in an automatitc operation whenthe strand is being transferred from one rotating surface to another.

The strand should not be so engaged when the operation is initiatedbecause the capstan wheels, although driven at a greater peripheralspeed than the winding speed of the strand, do not provide a sufficientforce to attenuate the strand. Such engagement would serve as animpediment rendering initiation of the attenuating and winding operationnearly impossible.

In an automatic operation when strand is being transferred from onerotating surface to another, the practice is to automatically sever thestrand and permit it to begin winding on the second rotating surface byproviding a differential in the winding speeds of the two rotatingsurfaces. It the strand is engaged with the capstan wheels as thewinding speed differential is established, the strand will break betweenthe strand-collecting surfaces and the capstan wheels, thus disruptingthe otherwise continuous operation. It is, therefore, necessary todisengage a partially disengage the strand from the capstan wheels whenthe strand is being transferred and a differential in winding speed isto be effected to sever the strand and permit it to begin winding on asecond rotating surface. Disengagement must be effective to the extentthat the strand is permitted to slip freely through the space betweenthe capstan wheels at the time when the speed change occurs.

This invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for engaging anddisengaging the strand with the capstan wheels in a fiber glass formingand winding operation. The invention rests in the discovery that thecapstan wheels can be independently mounted for rotary movement on acommon support which, in turn, is mounted for rotary movement about anaxis. The strand-engaging surfaces of the capstans are spaced a slightdistance, i.e., one-quarter to one and one-half inches apart in orderthat the strand may at times pass freely between the capstan wheels.Rotary movement of the common support causes the capstan wheels, or atleast one of the capstan wheels, to move from one position to anotherposition, thereby engaging the strand with both capstan wheels.

Preferably this is accomplished by mounting the capstan wheels forrotary movement in opposite directions about spaced parallel axes ofrotation on a common support plate and mounting the common support plateto provide secondary rotary movement to the capstan Wheels, that is,pivot the capstan wheels, about an axis parallel to and intermediate theaxes of rotation of the capstan wheels.

As a forming and winding operation is initiated, the capstan wheels arepositioned with their axes of rotation in a horizontal plane. The strandis manually drawn between the spaced pair of capstan wheels to therotating Winding surface. As the strand begins winding on the rotatingsurface, the rotating capstan wheels are moved into engagement with thestrand by rotating or pivoting the common support plate about the saidaxes parallel to and intermediate the axes of rotation of the capstanwheels. This engages the strand with both capstan wheels, causing it topass over the surface of one capstan wheel and then over the surface ofthe other. Then, as a complete forming package is wound and it isdesired to disengage the strand and the capstan wheels, the commonsupport plate is pivoted back to its original position. This returns thecapstan wheels to their horizontal positions with respect to oneanother, again permitting the strand to pass freely between the spacedpair of capstan wheels.

Indeed, the present invention is even more unique in an automaticoperation. Here, the rotary movement of the common support utilized todisengage the strand and the capstan wheels may be continued to transferthe strand to a second rotating surface and re-engage the strand withthe capstan wheels. The continuous movement serves to initiate windingon the second rotating surface without interrupting the continuousprocess. This is possible by appropriately spacing the capstans on thecommon support in such a manner that as the strand leaves one capstan itis in proper alignment for winding on one rotating surface whereas,after the common support is rotated, the strand leaving the othercapstan wheel is aligned for winding on the second rotating surface.Rotation of the common support in one direction or the other reversesthe relative positions of the spaced pair of capstan wheels and alsoreverses the order in which the strand passes over the wheels.

This use of the present invention, i.e., when the pivoting capstans areutilized to transfer the strand, may find application even when thecapstan wheels are not employed to reduce tension on the strand beingwound. In such application, the capstan wheels need not be driven.Indeed, in this application the capstan wheels need only be engaged withthe strand at the time when transfer is desired. During winding, thestrand and the capstan wheels may be disengaged, the strand being drawnfreely between the capstan wheels and, when strand transfer is desired,the common support may be rotated about the above-mentioned axis.

To more fully understand the inventive concepts herein set forth,attention is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B (with 1B above 1A) illustrate a side view of apparatusconstructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the portion of the apparatus illusrated inFIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the capstan wheel arrangement shownin FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a view taken on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6a through 6e are schematic illustrations of the relativepositions of the tension-reducing capstan wheels during operation of theapparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit for operation of the apparatusillustrated.

Turning now to the drawings, and especially FIGS. 1A and 1B,constituting, when FIG. 1B is laid above FIG. 1A, a side view ofapparatus constructed in accordance with this invention, there is shown,schematically, a portion of a melting furnace foreheart-h 20 and abushing 22 for receiving a quantity of molten glass from the furnace 20.The bushing 22 has tips 24, each of which includes an orifice throughwhich molten glass flows as a stream, each stream to be formed andattenuated into filaments or fibers. 26. The bushing 22 is conventionalin construction, generally being constructed of platinum or platinumalloy, and may be electrically heated to control the viscosity of theglass therein and that glass flowing through the orifices. As such, thebushing construction and arrangement forms no part of the presentinvention.

The filaments 26 are grouped together into a strand 28 by gatheringshoes 30, shown here as spaced members having filament-receiving,smoothly-contoured slots therein. Generally, the gathering shoes arestationary and are constructed of a material which will not materiallyabrade the filaments, such as graphite. Of course, other types ofgathering shoes may be used without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Just prior to being gathered into a strand, a binder isapplied to the filaments 26 by means of a binder applicator 34. Asillustrated, the applicator may include a belt 36 which carries a filmof binder on its surface. The belt of the applicator either passesthrough a pool of hinder or has a binder fed directly thereto. Again,the binder applicator is conventional in construction and may bereplaced with other known types of applicators without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. The binder may be any known organic bindergenerally having a resin constituent so as to maintain the filaments intheir desired strand configuration.

The primary attenuating and winding force is applied by the windingapparatus, generally identified by the reference characters 40 and 40a.The winding apparatus is so constructed and arranged for automaticoperation, i.e., the strand is continuously formed and wound withoutinterruption for removal and replacement of forming tubes.

The winding apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention andillustrated, especially in FIG. 1A, includes a pair of relatively largediameter reels 42 and 42a, each being receivable on hubs 44 and 44a,which hubs are individually rotated by means of electric motors 46 and46a, respectively. The reels are adapted to be quickly connected to anddisconnected from the hubs by known quick disconnect arrangements, forexample, headed lugs 48 on the hubs receivable in keyed-slots 50 in theconnecting flange 52 of the reels 42 and 42a. The reels 42 and 42a (seealso FIG. 3) are of lightweight construction, each having a web 54, thecentrally disposed connecting flange 52, and spaced outwardly extendingannular flanges 56 and 58. Fiber glass reinforced plastic is a suitablematerial for the reels. The web 54 and flanges 56 and 58 define in crosssection a substantially U-shaped strand collection zone, as readilyunderstood from the drawings. The reels may be constructed of multipleparts for disassembly to remove collected strand, is so desired or ifrequired. Likewise, the hubs 44 and 44a may be of multiple partconstruction.

Each assembly of motor, hub and reel is supported on or from a bracket60 connected to an elongated supporting arm 62 pivoted, as at 64, to abracket 66 supported in a pit 68 below the bushing 22, such that eachassembly 40 is pivotable between an operating position, noted at A, to anon-operating position, noted at B. At the operating position A, theperiphery of the reel 42 is positioned to receive strand. The assembly40 is maintained in operating position by means of an air-cylinderoperated latching arrangement, designated at 70 which includes aircylinder 72 having a movable rod 74 pivotably connected to a linkage 76pivotable about a fixed axis 78. The linkage 76 has a latch portion 80to engage a detent 82 fixed to the assembly 40. Manual controls may beprovided to actuate the air cylinder 72, so as to latch the assembly in,or unlatch the assembly 40 from, its operating position. Automaticcontrols, such for example, operable by the quantity (as determined bytime) of strand collected on a reel, may be provided for unlatching theassembly if so desired. Regardless of the nature of the controls, oneskilled in the art can design such controls, depending upon the degreeof automation desired.

In the embodiment shown, a handle 84 is provided by which an operator,standing on the floor 86 of the fiber forming room 88, may grip assembly40 or 40a and move it between positions A and B. Some power assist maybe provided to assist the operator when moving the assemblies betweenthe positions A and B, but such is not illustrated and forms no part ofthe invention. Movement between the positions A and B may also, as willbe understood, but fully automated, if so desired. The handle 84 issupported from and connected to a bracket 90 connected to thepreviously-noted bracket 60.

Power to the motor 46 is supplied only when the assembly 40 is in theoperating position A, as through contacts 102 and 104 and other suitablewiring.

Between the winding apparatus 40 and 40a, and the gathering shoes 30,there is located a godet or capstan wheel assembly and a reciprocatingtraverse assembly 140.

These features are shown more clearly in FIG. 4, an enlarged side viewof the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5, a view taken alongline 5-5 of FIG. 4. For

Qpurposes of clarity and ease of description, in FIG. 4, the

capstans 112 and 114 are shown with their axes of rotation centered on avertical line rather than a diagonal line as illustrated in FIG. 2. Itis preferred to operate with the capstans centered on a diagonal linesince such arrangement more nearly centers the strand delivering capstanabove the reel receiving the strand.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, capstan wheel assembly 110 includescapstan Wheels 112 and 114. Both capstan wheels are illustrated as beingflanged and individually driven by electric motors 116 and 118.

Capstan motors 116 and 118 are fixed to capstan mounting plate 122. Theshafts of motors 116 and 118 pass through holes provided in plate 122.Capstans 112 and 114 are attached to the motor shafts in some suitablemanner, such as a keyed shaft and collar arrangement, permitting themotor shafts to provide rotary motion to the capstans. The capstans aredriven in different directions. As illustrated by the arrows shown inFIG. 2, capstan 112 is driven counter-clockwise and capstan 114clockwise.

Capstan wheels 112 and 114 may be 4 to 6 inches in diameter and arepositioned with their strand-contacting surfaces spaced one-quarter toone and one-half inches apart. In operation, capstan wheels 112 and 114are driven at a uniform peripheral speed in excess of the linear strandspeed. Capstan wheels in the above diameter range, rotated at 8,900 to13,150 revolutions per minute, have a peripheral linear speed of 13,770to 14,850 feet per minute. This linear speed range is satisfactory forengaging and reducing tension on the strand being attenuated and woundat a constant linear speed of 13,500 feet per minute.

Capstan mounting plate 122 is supported by a bracket 124 which, in turn,is welded to and supported by tube 126, which is rotatably supported bypillow blocks 128. Electric motor 130 mechanically connected to tube 126by some suitable linkage, such as gear 136 keyed to the shaft of motor130, directly driving a gear 138 fixed to tube 126, provides rotarymotion to tube 126 which, in turn, rotates bracket 124, plate 122, andthe capstans 112 and 114 about axis 120.

Electric motor 130 and pillow blocks 128 are mounted on inverted channelmember 132 which is supported by plate 134 positioned on the ledgesformed by horizontal legs of angles 133 and 135 which are fixed to andsupported by the structural members of the apparatus.

A reciprocating traverse assembly 140 is also supported by angles 133and 135.

Spiral wire traverses 142 and 142a, of the type shown in US. Patent No.2,391,870, are mounted on traverse supporing arms 146 and 146a, whichare attached to traverse assembly mounting plates 148 and 148a, which,in turn, are hinged, as at 150 and 150a, to a reciprocating plate 144.

Axle 157 of traverse 142 is rotatably supported by hearing housing fixedto traverse supporting arm 146. R0- tary motion is provided to thetraverse 142 by a chain 156 engaged with motor shaft sprocket 154 andsprocket 158 driving traverse axle 157. Electric motor 152 is mounted ontraverse assembly mounting plate 148.

Traverse 142:: is supported and driven by components identical to thosedescribed for traverse 142.

Blocks 143, fixed to plate 144, provide support for and permit lateralmovement of plate 144. Holes provided in blocks 143 permit the blocks tobe positioned on rods 145 which are fixed to and supported by angles 133and 135. The dimensions of the rods 145 and the holes provided in blocks143 are such that allow the blocks to slide along the rods therebypermitting lateral movement of the plate 144.

Reciprocating lateral movement is provided to plate 144 by arm 170 whichis supported by and pivoted about a pin 172 positioned in a holeprovided in cross member 171.

Cam follower 174 attached to one end of arm 170 travels in a continuous,sinusoidal groove 163 provided in cylindrical cam 162 mounted on shaft164 journaled for rotary movement in blocks 165 fixed to angles 133 and135. Rotary motion is provided to shaft 164 and cylindrical cam 162 byelectric motor 169 which drives sprocket 166, chain 167, and sprocket168 which is keyed on shaft 164.

The other end of arm is provided with a slot 177. A pin 176 ispositioned through an appropriate hole in plate 144 and passes throughslot 177.

Rotary motion provided to cylindrical cam 162 by motor 169 is translatedinto lateral movement of the arm 170 by cam follower 174. The arm 170pivots about pin 172 providing lateral movement to pin 176 which travelsin slot 177. The lateral movement provided to pin 176 drives plate 144back and forth along rods 145. As plate 144 is driven back and forth,spiral wire traverses 142 and 142a are respectively reciprocated backand forth across the strand collecting surfaces of reels 42 and 42a.

Thus as the strand 28 is delivered to the collecting surface of one ofthe reels, primary oscillating movement is provided to the strand byengaging the strand with the wire traverse rotating about its axis andsecondary oscillating motion is provided to the strand by thereciprocating traverse assembly 140.

FIGS. 6a through 6e schematically illustrate the relative positions ofthe capstan Wheels 112 and 114 during operation of the apparatusdescribed above.

When the operation is first started, as shown in FIG. 6a, capstan wheels112 and 114, rotating in the direction indicated by the solid arrows,are positioned with their axes centered on a horizontal line. The strand28 passes through the space between the capstan wheels and is wrappedaround the strand-collecting surface of one of the winding reels such as42a. As the strand begins to wind on reel 42a, capstan wheels 112 and114, by means of motor 130 and the mounting means providing secondaryrotary movement discussed above, are rotated clockwise through an arc of120, as indicated by the arrows shown as broken lines, to the positionsshown in FIG. 6b. This movement engages the strand with both capstanwheels by changing the relative positions of capstan wheels 112 and 114and causing the strand to be drawn first over the surface of capstanwheel 114 and then over the surface of capstan wheel 112. Suchengagement provides forward thrust to the strand being wound on reel 42aas previously described.

The position of the capstan wheels illustrated in FIG. 6b is retaineduntil a full package has been wound on reel 42a. When a full package hasbeen wound, capstan wheels 112 and 114 are rotated counterclockwisethrough an arc of 240. This movement causes the capstans to pass throughtheir original horizontal positions as illustrated in FIG. 60 to thepositions desired for winding on reel 42 as illustrated in FIGS. 6d and6e. This movement reverses the relative positions of the capstan wheelsand the order in which the strand passes over the wheels.

Movement of the capstan wheels through their respective horizontalpositions disengages the strand 28 from the capstans 112 and 114 asillustrated in FIG. 60.

Although the strand 28 may still contact one of the capstan wheels, forexample capstan wheel 114 as illustrated, the strand is not positivelyengaged with both capstan wheels and may slip quite freely on thesurface of capstan wheel 114 and may be drawn and wound into the packagebeing formed on reel 42a. Such disengagement is necessary to prevent thestrand from being severed when subjected to abrupt changes in speed asthe strand is transferred across the large-diameter flanges of thestrand-collecting surfaces of the reels.

Continued movement of the capstan wheels 112 and 114 not only re-engagesthe strand 28 with the capstan wheels, but before the strand 28 iscompletely re-engaged,

the arcuate movement of capstan wheel 114 laterally displaces the pathof delivery of strand 28 a sufiicient distance to bring the strand intocontact with the strandcollecting surface of reel 42. The strand wrapsaround and begins winding on the strand-collecting surface of rotatingreel 42. At this point in time, reel 42 is rotating at full windingspeed whereas reel 42a being decelerated. The resulting difference inwinding speed causes strand 28 to sever between reels 42 and 42a.

As illustrated in FIG. 6e, winding is continued on reel 42, and reel 42amay be dotted and replaced with an empty reel. When a full package iswound on reel 42, the capstan wheels are rotated clockwise through anarc of 240 to their respective positions as illustrated in FIG. 6b. Thismovement disengages the strand from the capstan wheels 112 and 114 whenthey pass through their respective horizontal positions and theclockwise movement of capstan wheel 112 laterally displaces the path ofdelivery of strand 28, causing it to contact and begin winding on thenow empty strand-collecting surface of reel 42a.

Appropriate controls are also provided. The improvements provided by thepresent invention are most fully realized when the invention is utilizedin an automatic, continuous strand forming and winding operation.Generally, such operations are manually started by an operator andcontinue automatically in timed sequence. Thus, a single operator mayoperate a plurality of the winding assemblies, removing completedforming packages and replacing the same with empty reels as isnecessary.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a typical control arrangement thatcan be used in conjunction with the winding apparatus illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 6. The specific components of such a control arrangementcan be selected from commercially available components and connected toperform in the manner desired. As such, the control arrangement is not apart of the present invention and will not be described in detail. Thefollowing description is included to describe the manner in which thepresent invention operates in an automatic continuous strand forming andwinding operation.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a manual starting switch S-lconnected to capstan motors 116 and 118, to reciprocating mechanismmotor 169, and to a timing mechanism T. Timing mechanism T is automaticand is connected to reel latch cylinders 72 and 72a, to capstanpositioning motor 130, and to variable speed controls VSC in series withreel motors 46 and 46a.

Variable speed controls VSC may be variable speed alternators such asthat described in US. Patent 3,090,570, or other suitable electroniccontrol devices. The variable speed controls VSC are coordinated withthe quantity of strand being wound on a reel to modulate the frequencyof the current supplied to motor 46 or 46a to reduce the angularvelocity of the reel as the forming package diameter increases, tomaintain a constant winding speed as each package strand is formed.

Timing mechanism T is manually set in accordance with the quantity ofstrand to be wound on a reel. After the desired quantity of strand iswound on one reel, timing mechanism T, having previously energized themotor driving the other reel, de-energizes the motor driving the reelcontaining the completed forming package. Simultaneously, timingmechanism T energizes capstan positioning motor 130 which rotatescapstans 112 and 114 in the manner described previously to disengage thestrand and the capstans, transfer the strand to the empty reel, andre-engage the strand with the capstans in a continuous rotary movement.Timing mechanism T then activates the appropriate reel latch cylinder,72 or 720, to permit the winding apparatus to be moved to reel removingposition where the completed forming package is removed and an emptyreel attached.

The winding apparatus with the empty reel is then returned to operatingposition and latched therein. At the proper time its motor is againenergized by timing mechanism T and, when the empty reel is rotating atfull 8 speed, capstan positioning motor 130 is energized to transfer thestrand. This sequence is automatically repeated by timing mechanism Tuntil the strand breaks or the operation is manually terminated and thenthe sequence is manually restarted.

The operation of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 by meansof a control arrangement such as that illustrated in FIG. 7 will now bedescribed. This automatic process may be utilized to produce a pluralityof controlled low-tension forming packages.

To start the automatic process, the operator depresses manual switchS-1. This switch energizes capstan motors 116 and 118, reciprocatingmechanism motor 169, and timing mechanism T.

Capstan motors 116 and 11S drive capstan wheels 112 and 114 at aconstant speed of 9,750 revolutions per minute. Capstan wheels 112 and114 being approximately 5% inches in diameter, are thus driven at alinear peripheral speed of approximately 14,625 feet per minute.

Reciprocating mechanism motor 169 drives reciprocating traverse assembly140 back and forth over a lateral distance of approximately one andone-half inches at a rate of 4 0 to cycles per minute when a traversethree inches in length is utilized to traverse strand on a reel having astrand-collecting surface four inches Wide.

Timing mechanism T energizes motor 46a driving reel 42a at a speed of1,850 revolutions per minute. On a reel having a 28-inch diameterstrand-collecting surface, this produces a linear peripheral speed ofapproximately 13,500 feet per minute.

When the automatic process is started, the capstan wheels 112 and 114are horizontally positioned with respect to each other as illustrated inFIG. 6a.

To start the winding operation, a group of filaments 26 is manuallydrawn over the surface of binder applicator belt 36, through thegathering shoes 30, through the space betwen capstan wheels 112 and 114,and then to a reel 42a. The strand is wrapped around thestrand-collecting surface of reel 42a to begin winding. Generally, thereare 200 to 400 filaments, each 0.003 to 0.005 inch in diameter beingdrawn at one time.

After suflicient time has lapsed for the operator to initiate thewinding operation, approximately 15 seconds, timing mechanism Tenergizes capstan positioning motor 130 which rotates capstan wheels 112and 114 in a clockwise direction through an arc of engaging the strandwith both capstan wheels as illustrated in FIG. 6b.

The strand, when engaged with the capstan wheels, acts as a brake,causing the capstan wheels to rotate at a linear peripheral speed thesame as or nearly the same as the linear strand speed, that is,approximately 13,500 feet per minute. The resultant force applied to thestrand is added as forward thrust. The forward thrust reduces thewinding torque required for winding the strand on the reel and thetension on the strand being wound. The strand 28 is then wound to formthe desired package on reel 42a.

As the package is being formed on reel 42a, reel motor variable speedcontrol VSC reduces the speed of reel motor 46a to approximately 1,760revolutions per minute. With a reel having a 28-inch diameterstrand-collecting surface, this speed reduction over a period ofapproximately 50 minutes has been found satisfactory to produce a16-pound dry weight package of strand while attenuating and winding thestrand at a constant linear speed of 13,500 feet per minute.

As the desired quantity of strand is being wound on reel 42a, timingmechanism T energizes motor 46 to rotate reel 42. After a few secondswhen reel 42 is rotating at a speed of 1,850 revolutions per minute,timing mechanism T energizes capstan positioning motor 130. Motorrotates capstan wheels 112 and 114 counterclockwise through an arc of240 to disengage the strand and the capstan wheels, transfer the strand28 to reel 42, and reengage the strand and the capstan wheels in asingle continuous movement.

When the strand is transferred, reel motor 46a is deenergized and reel42a is dynamically braked. As the strand licks the strand-collectingsurface of reel 42, the speed differential between reels 42 and 42acauses the strand to break between reels 42 and 42a. The strand 28 isthen Wound to form the desired package on reel 42 with variable speedcontrol VSC gradually reducing the speed of motor 46 from 1,850 to 1,760revolutions per minute.

After the strand 28 has been transferred to reel 42, winding apparatus40a is unlatched and shifted forward. The reel containing the formingpackage is removed and replaced with an empty reel. The windingapparatus 40a with the empty reel is then returned to operating positionand latched therein. At the proper time, timing mechanism T againenergizes reel motor 46a and capstan positioning motor 130 rotatingcapstan wheels clockwise through an arc of 240 to transfer the strand 28to the strand-collecting surface of reel 42a where another formingpackage is wound. The foregoing sequence is repeated until the strandbreaks or the operation is terminated at which time the operatorrestarts the automatic forming and winding operation manually.

Although the embodiment described for providing secondary rotarymovement to the capstan wheels 112 and 114 by rotating common supportplate 122 about an axis 120 which is parallel to, co-planar with, andintermediate both axes of rotation of capstan wheels 112 and 114 ispreferred because of its symmetry, the inventive concept is not solimited. The advantages obtained through the use of the describedembodiment may also be obtained by providing secondary rotary movementto the capstan wheels by rotating the common support about an axisremoved from the common plane of the axes of rotation of capstan wheels112 to 114.

For example, the axis of rotation of the common support may be parallelto both axes of rotation of capstan wheels 112 and 114 but located aboveor below the common plane of the said axes of rotation. In such anembodiment, the strand winding operation would again be started with thecapstan wheels in a horizontal position with respect to one another bypassing the strand between the spaced pair of capstan wheels. The strandwould be engaged with the capstan wheels by rotating the common support,i.e., swinging the spaced pair of capstan wheels, through a suflicientare about the axis of rotation to produce the desired degree ofengagement. In an automatic strand forming and winding operation, thestrand would be disengaged from the capstan wheels, transferred toanother rotating strand-collecting surface, and re-engaged with thecapstan wheels, by rotating the common support in the opposite directionabout the axis of rotation. As previously described, strand transferwould be effected by displacing the path of delivery of the strand bythe lateral component of the radial movement of one of the capstanwheels.

In other embodiments, the axis of rotation of the common support may beparallel to and co-planar with the axes of rotation of the capstanwheels and not be intermediate the axes of rotation. The common supportmay be rotated about an axis which coincides with the axis of rotationof one of the capstan wheels, or about an axis parallel to and co-planarwith both axes of rotation but located outside the area defined by theaxes of rotation of the capstan wheels. With either of thesearrangements, the location of the spaced pair of capstan wheels and theextent and direction of rotary movement of the common support would bedetermined with respect to the locations of the source of the strand andthe rotating strand-collecing surfaces upon which the packages of strandare to be formed. However, as described above, the common support wouldbe rotated first in one direction to engage the strand and the capstanwheels, then in the other direction to disengage the strand, transferthe strand to another winding surface, and re-engage the strand with thecapstan wheels.

Accordingly, the axis of rotation of the common support may be parallelwith both axes of rotation of the capstan wheels, or parallel with theaxis of rotation of a single capstan wheel when it coincides with theaxis of rotation of the other capstan wheel.

It should also be understood that a spaced pair of capstan wheelsmounted for independent rotary movement on a common support which, inturn, is mounted for rotation about an axis to provide secondary rotarymovement to the capstan wheels, may be employed in an automatic strandforming and winding operation to transfer the strand from one rotatingstrand-collecting surface to another without reducing the tension on thestrand being Wound. In such an embodiment any of the above discussedarrangements of the capstan wheels and common support may be used.However, the strand need only be engaged with the capstan wheels when itis desired to transfer the strand. Moreover, the capstan wheels need notbe driven and may comprise a pair of idler Wheels.

In a non-automatic operation when forming packages are successivelyproduced on a single rotating strand-collecting surface and theoperation is interrupted to unload forming packages and replace the samewith empty reels, the present invention may be used to engage anddisengage the strand with the tension-reducing capstan wheels. Strandtransfer from one rotating surface to another would not be required inthis type of operation.

The present invention may also be utilized to provide the aboveoperative features in conjunction with rotating strand-collectingsurfaces other than the relatively large diameter reels previouslydescribed.

For example, a pair of forming tubes measuring 4 to 12 inches indiameter by 8 to 16 inches long, supported and driven by a collet orpair of hubs could be substituted for winding apparatus 40 and 40a. Inan automatic operation, the secondary rotary movement provided to thecapstan wheels may be utilized to transfer the strand from one formingtube to another by properly positioning the capstan wheels on the commonsupport to produce the necessary lateral displacement of the strand asthe common support is rotated.

Disregarding the strand transfer feature, the present invention may alsobe utilized in the manner described previously to engage and disengagethe strand with the tension reducing capstan wheels as it is being woundon a forming tube in either an automatic or non-automatic operation.

In the foregoing, certain forms of the present invention have beendescribed and illustrated in detail. These have been set forth aspreferred embodiments only and are not to be construed as limitations onthe concepts of the invention. Various changes may be made in the shape,size, and operation of the components set forth in the embodimentsdescribed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a method of continuously forming and winding fiber glass strand tosuccessively form a plurality of strand packages in which the strand istransferred from a first rotating winding surface to a second andadjacent rotating winding surface, the steps comprising,

drawing said strand from a source,

engaging said strand with a spaced pair of capstan wheels rotating aboutspaced parallel axes by drawing the strand over the surface of onecapstan wheel and then over the surface of the other capstan wheel,delivering said strand to said first rotating surface, winding saidstrand on said first rotating surface to form a package thereon,pivoting said spaced pair of capstan wheels about an axis parallel toone of said axes of rotation thus changing the relative positions ofsaid capstan wheels and disengaging said strand from said capstanwheels, continuing to pivot said capstan wheels to re-engage said strandand said wheels and thus reversing the order 1 1 in which said strand isdrawn over the surface of said wheels, delivering said strand to saidsecond, rotating surface,

and

Winding said strand on said second rotating surface to form a secondpackage thereon.

2. Apparatus for forming and winding strand material comprising,

means to continuously form a strand,

means to attenuate and Wind said strand, said means including a rotatingsurface upon which said strand is wound as a forming package,

means to traverse said strand onto said rotating surface during winding,

means to engage said strand before it is wound on said surface, saidmeans comprising a spaced pair of capstan wheels mounted on a commonsupport to rotate with their axes of rotation in spaced parallelrelationship,

means for rotating at least one of said capstan wheels,

means for mounting said common support for secondary rotary movementabout an axis parallel to one of said parallel axes of rotation, and

means for rotating said common support means about said last-named axisto move one of said capstan means to wind said strand including a pairof adjacent rotating surfaces upon which the strand is successivelywound to form a plurality of packages,

means to traverse the strand onto said rotating surfaces during winding,

means to engage said strand before winding and to transfer said strandfrom one rotating surface to another rotating surface, said meansincluding a pair of spaced capstan Wheels mounted on a common supportfor rotary movement about spaced parallel axes of rotation,

means mounting said common support for rotation about an axis parallelto said axes of rotation,

means for rotating said common support about said axis to move saidcapstan wheels from one position in which said strand is delivered toone of said rotating surfaces to another position in which said strandis delivered to said another rotating surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1941 Lamesch. 9/1966 Small eta1. 652

S. LEON BASHORE, Primary Examiner R. L. LINDSAY, Assistant Examiner

